Coin receptacle cover



oct. 19, 1937. c. C. VEAL 2,096,476

COIN RECEPTACLE COVER Filed April 17, 1936 f 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4@ l /N VE /V TO/P c. c. um:

afjv/@Mmm Oct. 19, 1937. c. c. VEALE COIN RECEPTACLE COIVER Filed April 17, 1936 2 sheets-sheet 2 tion at a central cashiers oii'ice.

Patented Oct. 19, 1937 l PATENT OFFICE 2,096,476 ,Y CoIN RECEPTACLE COVER Charles C. Veale, West Chicago; Il1.,assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York application Aprilfm, 1966, serial N o. 74,865

11 Claims.

This invention relates to covers for coin boxes or receptacles and more particularly to covers for coin receptacles of the type used in telephone coincollectors, such a receptacle being described, for example, in United States Patent 1,121,063, issue-d December 15, 1914 to W. O. Beck.

Cash receptacles used in telephone coin collectors are ordinarily furnished with a hinged cover which has an opening therein through which the collected coins pass into the receptacle. A sliding shutter is usually provided for closingthe coin receiving opening. A projection carried by an extension of the shutter is adapted to engage With a portion of the coin collector housing when the coin receptacle is placed therein, this engagement being eective, When the receptacle is being inserted in the housing to move the shutter to open position and beingefective, when the receptacle is being removed, to move the shutter to closed position. Means is ordinarily provided for automatically locking the shutter in closed position.

In accordance with the usual practice the empty coin receptacles are prepared for distribu- Before theY cover is placed on the receptacle the shutter locking means is set in free position, i. e., a position which allows the shutter to move to open position. The cover is then placed in position on the receptacle and suitably secured thereto, for example, by means of a special seal. The'recep-v tacles are then taken by designated employees to be placed in the telephone coin collectors. As the receptacle is inserted in the housing the shutter is moved to open position as stated above and the locking means is ordinarily so arranged that before the receptacle is fully inserted, the locking means is tripped and moved into locking position. Now when the filled receptacle is later Withdrawn the shutter is closed as above mentioned, the locking means then being effective to hold the shutter in closed position.

Objects of the present invention are to simplify and improve the construction of coin receptacle Y covers of the above mentioned type and to provide a simple and reliable shutter locking device therefor.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a coin receptacle cover having a coin receiving opening adapted to be closed by a slidable shutter arranged to be locked in closed position. The shutter locking means comprises a pawl mounted on the underside of the cover, the pawl being biased in either of two positions, locking or iree,f by a spring..- When,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cover With a portion of the upper or outer plate removed to show the position of the shutter when the coin receiving opening is closed. VIn this view the locking pawl is shown in free position,y i. e., in the position which permits .the shutter to be moved to open position; l

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, the Yshutter being shown open position and the locking pawl in active position, i. e., in condition to follow the closing movement of the shutterk and then lock the shutte-r in closed position;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2, with the shutter in closed position and the pawl in locking position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View on line 5 5 of Fig. 4, and Ashows a vportion of the coin rec'ep'tacle;V

Fig. 6 is a-p1an View of the underside of another form 'of coin receptacle cover embodying the invention. showing the shutter in closed position and the locking pawl in free position;

I Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, with a portion of the inner plate removed to show more clearly the shutter locking device. In this view the lockingpawl is shown as itis being tripped from lthe free position to the locking position;

FiggS sa View similar to Fig. 7 showing the shutter in the open position and the locking pawl inthe tripped position; v

'Fig. 'Q'is'aview similarto Fig. 7, showing the shutter inf'closedposition and the locking pawl in 'locking position;

fAig; lOisan enlarged sectional View on line "lf-d. of Fig. 6; Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating an alternative construction for the shutter shown in Figs. 6 to 1 0. and l Fig. 12. is an'enlarged sectional view taken on line l2-I2 of Fig.1 1.` A y Referring now to the drawings, and rst to Figs. lfto5, acoin receptacler cover I0 is shown which comprises a'flanged outer plate Il and an inner plate I2 secured together in spaced relation by rivets or otherwise. A coin receiving opening I4 is provided in the plates and the plates are spaced apart suiiiciently to slidably accommodate therebetween a shutter plate I5 for closing the opening. The shutter is rotatably mounted on inner plate I2 by a pivot pin I 6. A formed U- shaped spring I3, also mounted on inner plate I2, serves to normally hold shutterV I5 in closed position with respect to opening I4. One end of spring I8 presses against the shutter at I9 and the other end of the spring is attached to a pin 2i) secured to inner plate I2. An extension arm 2I of shutter I5 extends upward through an arcuate slot 22 provided in outer plate- II and then laterally beyond the edge of the cover as shown.

A pawl 25 is rotatably mounted on inner plate I2 on the same side as shutter I5. An embossed projection 26 on the pawl serves as a pivot for the pawl and extends through 'a bearing hole in the inner plate so that when the cover is removed from the receptacle the pawl may be rotated by means of a screw driver or similar tool applied to a slot 21 Vof the pivot screw. Obviously, this pivot screw is-accessible only from the underside of the cover.

When the locking pawl 25 is in locking position, as shown in Fig. 4, a projecting tip 28 of the pawl engages with an arcuate edge surface 29 of the shutter I5 to hold the shutter in closed position Vand prevent moving it to open position. In the locking position the pawl engages a xed stop 32 to prevent further movement of the pawl in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4). also serves as a spacer for the` inner and outer cover plates. A formed spring 35 holds the pawl in locking position against stop 32. As shown, this spring is of hairpin or U-shape form, having a loop portion 36 intermediate its ends to increase its flexibility. Spring 315 is pvotally attached at one end to a pin 38.xed to inner plate i2 and is pivotally attached-atits other end to a pin 39 fixed to locking pawl 25 eccentrically with respect to the pivot 26 of the pawl.

In Fig. 2 thelocking pawlv 25 is Vshown in the free position, wherein it is out of the path oi? shutter I5 and permits free movement o f the shutterto the open position shown in Fig. 3. When the pawl is in the free position, a' projection 4I on the pawlengages the fixed pin 38 to Y prevent further movement of the pawl in a coun- Vto ter-clockwise direction (Fig.,2).Y It will be apparent from an examination of Fig. 2 that the spring 35 serves to hold the lockingv pawl in the free position against stop pin 3B, since the spring pivot pin 39 is nowbeyondthe dead center position with respect Vto locking pawl pivot 26 and spring pivot pin 38. It will be obvious, also, that the spring 35 tends to bias the locking pawl in whichever direction it may be rotated beyond the dead center position. Thus, the spring 35 serves to bias the locking pawl in either of the two positions, namely, the locking position shown in Fig. 4 and the free position shown in Fig. 2. A portion of the inner cover plate I2 is'rece'ssed or embossed, as indicated at 42, tov provide sufficient clearancefor free movement of biasing spring 35.

The manner in which the shutter I5 is moved toY open position with respect to coin receiving opening I4 as the coin receptacle is inserted in the coin collector housing, is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. A portion 43vof the guide rail which is attached to the coin collector housing vis shown,

Y the guide rail being provided with an aperture 44 in which the arm 2I of 'the shutter is positioned,

The stop 32 as shown in Fig. 2', when the receptacle is placed in the housing. Then, as the receptacle is pushed v back into position in the housing in the direction indicated by the arrow, arm 2| is prevented from Vmoving by its contact withthe rear edge or" aperis being moved in the opposite direction, that is,

when it is being withdrawn from the housing, the Y shutter is, in effect, moved to closed position with respect to opening I4. The respective dimensions and arrangement of the coin receptacle and the coin collector housing are such that it is impossible to insert the receptacle in the housing without first positioning shutter arm 2I in the guide rail aperture 44.

Before the coin receptacle is inserted in the coin collector housing, locking pawl 25 should, of course, be set in free position to allow shutter I5 to be moved to open position as above described. In order to'move the pawl from the locking position shown in Fig. 4to the free position shown in Fig. 2, `a screw driver or similar tool is inserted Y in the slot of pivot 26, this action taking place, of course, before the cover has been placed in position on the coin receptacle, and the pawl is rotated by said tool to the free position, wherein it is held by the biasing spring 35.

Locking pawl 25 having been set in the free position, as above mentioned, cover I0 is placed on a coin receptacle 46, a portion of which is shown inFig. 5, and sealed, after which the receptacle may be inserted in the. coin collector housing. As stated above, the shutter is opened as the receptacle is pushed into the housing. As the shutter .moves to the open position a projection 41 on the shutter engages the loop end of the spring 35 and'pushes the spring from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, wherein the spring pivotpin 39 is on the opposite side of the dead center position. The biasing action of spring 35 is now in the opposite direction to that of Fig. 2 and the spring now holds'the pawl against the shutter, as shown in Fig. 3, as it tends to rotate the locking pawl to the locking position. Y

As long as the coin receptacle remains in the coin collector housing, shutter I5 remains in open position and locking pawl 25 remains biased in theposition shown in Fig. 3. Upon withdrawingthe coin receptacle from'the` housing the shutter` is moved to closed position, as above stated. Pawl 25 follows the closing movement of the shutter under the biasing action of spring 35. .Before the shutter completely closes, the projecting tip 28 of the locking Ypawl engages' arcuate 'edge V29 of the shutter and prevents movement of the shutter to open position. AS the shutter continuesgits movement to closed position the pawl projection 28' slides along arcuate edge .29 of the shutter until the shutter reaches the completely closed position shown in Fig. 4, where it is locked by the pawl.

After the coin receptacle has been removed from the coin collector'ho-using, the seal is broken by an authorized person and the cover is removedV from the receptacle. Before the cover is replaced, the locking pawl is reset in free position as mentioned above.

Referringnow to Figs. 6 tolO, a modified form of the locking-arrangement is disclosed. Inaccordance with this Ymodified form, pivo-ted shutter I I5 has an extension] I5 formed with Yan arcuate embossment II1. Y vTeeth IIB, IIS, and |20 are provided on an arcuate edge of embossment for cooperating withV a locking pawl |25 pivotally mounted on inner cover plate |l2.l It Will be noted that the pivotal axis of "paw-1 |25 is -parallel to the pivotal axis of shutterl I5, i. e.,` the pawl moves in a plane which is parallel to the plane of the shutter. The pawl, however, in -cooperating with the teeth on the embossed portion of the shutter, moves in a plane slightly below the plane of the main portion of the shutter. Therefore, inner cover plate ||2 is formed with a recessed portion ||3 to allow for free movement of the pawl |25 and the embossed toothed portion. of the shutter. Y v

A bowed leaf spring |35 serves to bias pawl |25 in either of twol positions, locking or free. One end of spring |35 engages a V-notch in the pawl and itsl opposite end engages a V-.notch 1in a fixed projection or block |34 on plate ||2.

In Fig. 6, shutter 5 is shownin closed position and locking pawl |25 is shown in freeposition. A coil spring |36 serves tov-normally .hold shutter I5 in closed position. 'Y Inner cover plate ||3 is embossed, as indicated at: |3|,`to provide sufficient clearance for the spring. lAs the shutter is moved to open position, tooth H8, which is of lesser depth than teeth ||9 and |2|J, passes freely beyond projection |26 on locking pawl |25, but tooth I9 strikes said projection and trips the pawl beyond the dead center position, as shown in Fig. 7. Locking tip |2`| of the pawl is now biased by spring |35 against the untoothed portion of the inner edge of arcuate embossment o-f the shutter,'so that the shutter is free to continue its opening movement until it reaches the completely open position shown in Fig. 8.

Upon movement of the shutter from open position to closed position, teeth |26, ||9, and ||8 of the shutter slide past locking p'awlrtip |21, the biasing spring |35 causing the pawl tip |21 to drop into the depression of each of the shutter teeth as theypass beyond the pawl. It will be obvious, therefore, that after the first tooth passes the locking tip of the pawl during the closing movement of the shutter, it is impossible to again open the shutter completely without rst resetting the locking pawl tofree position. This prevents the insertion of-the coin receptacle to the pro-per position in the coin collector housing if the locking pawl has'been tripped to locking position either accidentally or otherwise. AThe pawl, however, does not prevent the shutter from continuing its closing movement to the completely closed position, in which the pawl engages the tooth l| 8 to prevent opening movement of the shutter, as will be apparent by referring to Fig. 9.

After the coin receptacle has been removed from the coin collector housing, the cover is removed from the receptacle. Before the cover is replaced on the receptacle, locking pawl is reset to free position in the same manner as locking p-awl 25 previously described. When in the free position, pawl |25 is biased by spring |35 against a xed stop |38, as shown in Fig. 6. Stop: |38 may consist of -a pin or lug fixed on the inside of inner covel` plate ||2, or it may comprise an embossment on the inner cover plate.

As will be apparent by reference to Figs. 6 to 9, extension plate H6 of the shutter separates locking pawl |25 from outer cover plate at all times. This arrangement together with the embossed radial rib |39 on the shutter precludes access to the locking pawl through the coin receiving opening H4.

:Referring nowto Figs. 11. and 12, an alternative vform of shutter construction for use in conjunction with the locking pawl arrangement shown. inFigs. 6 to 9 is disclosed. In this form of shutterVa separate toothed extension 226 is provided which is pivotally connected to main portiong225 lof .the shutter. An end edge 221 of toothediextension 226 cooperates with an edge of shutter aportion' 225 to. allow only slight rotary movement ofextension'. 226 relative to` shutter portion 225, this relative-movement being sufficient to compensate for slight variations in the relative dimensions of the parts. Conveniently, the pivot for the toothed extension 226 may comprise an embossment'200 on shutter portion 225, as shown in Fig. 12.V

While certain specic embodiments of the invention have been selected for detailed descriptio-n, the invention is not limited in its application to the embodiments described. The embodiments described should be taken as illustrative of f the invention rather' than as restrictive thereof. s

What` isfclaimed lis: 11A coinreceptacle comprising a `coin boxga cover therefor 'having a coin receiving opening therein, Ya shutter on said cover forY closing said Y opening, -a pawlmounted on said cover and movable thereon to either of two positions, means on said shutter for cooperating with said. pawl to hold the shutter in closed position and means effective when said cover is inposition closing said box for biasing the pawl in one direction in one of said positions and in another -direction in the other of said positions, `the pawl being in the1 path ofsaid lirst means in one of said positions and vbeing out of the path of saidirst means in Athe other of said positions.v

2i. A coin receptacle comprising a coin box, a cover thereforwhaving a coin receiving opening therein, a shutter onsaid cover for closing said opening, a pawl rotatably mountedon said cover and movable to either of twopositions, means on said shutter for cooperatingwith said pawl to hold the Vshutter in closed position and a spring for biasing the pawl in one direction in one of said positions and in a different direction in the other of said positions, the pawl being in the path of said means in one of said positions and being out of the path of said means in the other of said positions.v 1 `3.l A 4coin receptacle comprising a coin box, a cover therefor -having a coin receivingopening therein, a shutter on Said cover for closing said opening, a pawl mounted on said cover and movable to either of two positions, means on said shutter for cooperating with said pawl to hold the shutter in closed position and means effective when said -cover is in position closing said box for biasing the pawl in one direction in one of said positions and in another direction in the other of said positions, the pawl being effective to cooperate with said means on the shutter in one of said positions and being ineffective to cooperate with said means in the other position.

4. A coin receptacle comprising a coin box, a cover therefor having a coin receiving opening therein, a shutter on said cover for closing said opening, a pawl rotatably mounted on said cover and movable to either of two positions, means on said shutter for cooperating with said pawl to hold the shutter in closed position, means for biasing the pawl in one direction in one of said positions and in another direction in the other of said positions, the pawl being eiective to cooperate with said means on the shutter in one of said positions and being ineffective t'o cooperate with said means in the other position, and means carried by the shutter for causing movement of the pawl from the ineffective position to the effective position.

5. A coin receptacle comprising a coin box, a cover therefor having a coin receiving opening therein, a shutter on said cover for closing said opening, a pawl mounted on the cover for cooperating with an edge of the shutter to hold said shutter in closed position, said pawl being movable to either ofV two positions and means eiective when said cover is inposition closing said box for biasing the pawl in one direction in one of said positions and in a different direction in the other of .said positions, the pawl being in the path of said edge of the shutter in one of said positions and being out of the path of said edge inthe .other of said positions.

6. A coin receptacle'comprising a coin box, a cover therefor havinga'coin receiving opening therein, a shutter on said cover for closing said opening, a locking member. pivotally mounted on said cover and movable to eitherof two positions, said shutter having a portion for 'cooperating with said locking memberto hold the shutter in closed position, and means for biasing the locking member in one direction in one of said positions and in another direction in the other of said positions, said locking member being in the path of said shutter portion in one of said positions and being out of said path in the other of said positions.

7. A coin receptacle comprising a coin box, a cover therefor having a coin receiving opening therein, a movable shutter on said cover for closing said opening, a movable Ymember on said cover for locking the shutter in closed position, means for biasing the locking memberrin either of two positions, the member being eifective for locking the shutter in one of said positions and being ineffective for locking said shutter in the other of said positions, and means on the shutter effective upon moving the shutter to open position for engaging and movingsaid biasing means to thereby move the locking member from the ineiiective position to the effective position.

8. A coin receptacle comprising a coin box, a cover therefor having a coin receiving opening therein, a movable shutter on said-'cover for closing said opening, a pawl mounted on said cover for movement about an axis perpendicular to the plane-of movement of the shutter, spaced projections onsaid shutter for cooperating with Said jpawl Vto prevent movement of the shutter to open position,and meansv for biasing the pawl in either of two positions, said pawl being effective in one of said positions for cooperating with either of said projections to prevent opening movement of the shutter and being ineffective inthe other of said positions, one of said projections on the shutter being effective, upon moving Y the shutter to open position, for moving the pawl from the ineffective position to the eiective position.

9. A coin receptacle comprising a coin box, a cover therefor Vhaving .a coin receiving opening therein, a movable shutter on said cover for closing said opening, Va pawl mounted onv said cover, twoV spaced projections on said shutter for cooperating with said pawl, jand, means for biasing the pawl in either of two positions, said pawl being effective in one of `said positions for cooperating with either of said projections on the shutter to ,prevent movement of said shutter to open position and being ineifective in the other of said positions, only one of'said projections on the f shutter being effective, upon moving the shutter to open position, for moving the pawl from the ineffective position to the-effective position.

10. A coinreceptacle comprising a coin box, a cover-therefor having a coin receiving opening therein, av movable-shutter on said cover for closing said opening, an arm pivotally connected to said shutter, a projection on said arm, a pawl mounted on the cover Yand-movable to either of two positions, and means for biasing the paw] toward said arm in one of said positions, said pawl being effective when in said position for cooperating with said projection to hold the shutter in closed position.

11.V A coin receptacle comprising a. coin box,

a cover therefor having a coin receiving opening therein, a movable shutter for closing said opening, an arm pivotally connected to said shutter, means for limiting the movement of said arm re1- ative to the shutter, a pawl mounted on the cover the shutter to open posi- 

